World Leaders Conclude Climate Change Talks with Nonbinding Accord
Some scientists, however, say industrialized nations must cut emissions by 25 to 40 percent from 1990 levels by 2020 to prevent climate disasters, such as coastal flooding from rising sea levels, severe weather events, and variations in rainfall and temperatures that will affect agriculture and wipe out species of plants and animals.
In their remarks Saturday, CIDSE and Caritas said they believe the world must accept nothing less than a fair, ambitious and legally binding agreement that commits developed countries to greenhouse gas emissions cuts of more than 40 percent by 2020, based on 1990 levels.
The alliance said it also wants to see wealthy nations provide $195 billion in funding by 2020 – on top of existing aid commitments – to help developing countries harness green technologies and protect themselves from the worst impacts of climate change.
Get Our Latest News for FREE
"Leaders may be lagging behind, but the level of commitment shown by people from all over the world in the run up to Copenhagen has shown unequivocally that the public is firmly behind a strong climate change deal. Leaders must now set a firm deadline for coming to a comprehensive and binding agreement as soon as possible in the coming months, and we'll be watching them every step of the way," said Lesley Anne Knight, Secretary General of Caritas Internationalis.
Caritas Internationalis, the largest network of Catholic charities in the world, works through its 164 national members to combat poverty and injustice, directly helping around 24 million people each year in 200 countries and territories.
CIDSE, meanwhile, is a Catholic network of 16 member organizations in Europe and North America that share a common strategy in their efforts to eradicate poverty and establish global justice. CIDSE's advocacy work covers global governance, resources for development, climate change, trade and food security, EU development policy and business, and human rights.
